Nigerian coach Kelechi Emeteole gave up the ghost in the early hours of Wednesday June 21, after suffering throat cancer for some time.

Emeteole was meant to undergo surgery for throat cancer, but couldn’t as doctors said he was too old to get involved in such delicate operation, a family source revealed.

“Kelechi Emeteole has passed on,” Heartland FC media officer Onu confirmed.

“Just spoke with his wife. I woke up to see 13 missed calls and quickly grabbed the phone.

“The wife broke the bad news and I’m devastated.

“I spoke to the wife on Monday and she even called me back through WhatsApp video call.

“I saw coach on a bed receiving a drip getting ready for the surgery to remove the pipe on his neck. He waved at me, little did I know it was a sad goodbye wave,” Solomon Onu told Premium times.

Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye also tweeted: “Gone but can never be forgotten. Former @NGSuperEagles assistant coach, Ex Heartland FC, Rangers International FC coach Kelechi Emeteole is dead.”